“In order to help inform the planning for provision of cancer treatment services in NHS Borders, we would like to gain better understanding of the incidence of cancer in NHS Borders.”

• Annual cancer incidence by health board

• Crude rate is calculated as follows:

\[ \text{Crude Rate} = \frac{\text{New Cancer Cases}}{\text{At Risk Population}} * 100,000 \]

1. Increase in cancer rate is likely due to increasing size of older population

2. Higher rate in rural areas can also be explained by differing population demographics

3. Skin cancers seem to have the highest rates among both men and women in NHS Borders and are increasing at a faster rate than other types

4. Breast cancer and prostate cancer rates remain high for women and men respectively

Recommendation

• Focus more efforts on identification and treatment of skin cancers
• Consider more regular screenings for breast and prostate cancers to catch them earlier